– Thick composite claddings of carbides on a metal matrix are ideal for use in components that are subject to severe abrasive wear. It is a metal matrix composite (MMC) that is reinforced by an appropriate ceramic phase and nano-diamond cladding to reduce friction and to protect the opposing surface. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
– This work evaluated the wear performance of carbon steel cladded with TiC/nano-diamond powders by gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) method. The microstructures, chemical compositions, and wear characteristics of cladded surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).
– The cladding was uniform, continuous, and almost defect-free, and particles were evenly distributed throughout the cladding layer. The results of wear test indicate that the friction coefficient of the TiC+1.5% nano-diamond cladding is lower than that of AISI 1020 carbon steel. Thus, the wear scar area of the TiC+1.5% nano-diamond cladding is only one-tenth of the AISI 1020 carbon steel.
– The experiments in this study confirm that, by reducing friction and anti-wear, the cladding layer prepared using the proposed methods can prolong machinery operating life.
